Whether you’re heading to the other side of the planet or staying a little closer to home, every holiday starts with a journey – and it can be made a lot less stressful with the right suitcase.
As with most travel gear, you get what you pay for when it comes to luggage. If you don’t invest a little in the right case, you risk lost possessions or cumbersome transfers. Sadly, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution; every traveller will have different needs, depending on where you’re going, how long you’re going for and what kind of holiday you’re planning.
Happily, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to buying a suitcase – but the range of styles, sizes and prices can be a little overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for. That’s why we’ve put together a simple buying guide to answer some of the most common questions.
Scroll down further and you’ll also find our pick of the best suitcases to buy right now. We’ve picked out five of our favourite suitcases from brands we trust, so you won’t have to deal with a bad suitcase ruining your holiday before you’ve even arrived.
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How to choose the right suitcase for you
Before you start looking for the perfect suitcase, the questions below will help you narrow down your options.
What size suitcase do I need?
You might be tempted to buy the biggest suitcase you can afford, but this adds weight and will be harder to move around. You’re better off choosing the smallest suitcase that will accommodate everything you need – with a little extra room for souvenirs and holiday purchases. If you do choose a large suitcase, make sure you check restrictions before flying with it, or you could end up paying a hefty oversized baggage fee when you get to the check-in desk.
Which is better: a hard shell or soft-sided suitcase?
Hard-shell cases used to eat into your baggage weight allowance, but thanks to the development of lighter, durable materials that’s not so much of a problem. Soft-sided suitcases meanwhile are stronger than ever – so it really comes down to personal preference. The deciding factor might be where you plan to keep your new suitcase when it’s not needed, as hard shell cases are less versatile when it comes to storage.
How many wheels should my suitcase have?
Two-wheeled suitcases are easy to tug behind you when whizzing through the airport, but they can easily topple over, depending on how they’re packed. Four-wheeled suitcases are much sturdier when unsupported, and are generally easier to manoeuvre in tight aisles and other tricky spaces. The trade-off is that they’re apt to roll away if they don’t have any kind of braking.
Is a suitcase better than a rucksack?
A wheeled suitcase is easier to cart around indoors than a rucksack, and it won’t hurt your back. A rucksack makes more sense if you’re travelling long-term or venturing off-road, where uneven ground makes it difficult to wheel a suitcase along. If that’s what you need, check out our round-up of the best backpacks to buy right now.
Does the interior of the suitcase matter?
Interiors can vary greatly from one case to another, too. Some come with lots of inside pockets, while others can be separated into two or three sections. This is useful if you prefer separating your clothes or possessions – and you won’t need a separate laundry bag while you’re away – but it may not be an efficient use of space. If you want to maximise space but still stay organised, a set of packing cubes (such as these affordable ones from Amazon) may be a better option.
The best suitcases to buy
1. Samsonite S’cure DLX 4 Wheel Spinner: Best all-round suitcase
Price when reviewed: £153
Samsonite’s S’cure suitcase strikes a good balance of portability and protection. A waterproof seal keeps the rain out, and a triple locking system keeps everything else in – even if the combination numbers are a little fiddly at first.
The S’cure comes with more pockets, compartments and dividers than most suitcases – more than you’ll probably need – making it easy to stay organised. At 4.1kg, it’s not the lightest suitcase you can buy, but the Flowlite outer material and aluminium wheel handle tubes mean it’s still impressively light given its size and versatility. If you want a suitcase that can travel anywhere with you for years to come, you can’t really go wrong with the Samsonite S’cure.
Key specs - Capacity: 79L; Weight: 4.1kg; Number of wheels: 4
2. IT Luggage World’s Lightest: Best lightweight suitcase
Price when reviewed: £59.50
If you’re worried about your weight allowance – or just dislike humping heavy luggage around – then this could be the suitcase for you, as it weighs just 2.2kg. At 74cm, you get a lot of room for all your belongings, and it also comes with one of the most comfortable and practical handles thanks to its full-width cushioned design, so you won’t mind pulling it around for any length of time.
As you’d expect, it isn’t quite as sturdy as weightier cases, and you might wonder whether such a lightweight suitcase is durable enough to withstand all the wear and tear of travelling. But you needn’t worry too much, as it comes with a reassuring ten-year warranty.
Key specs - Capacity: 71L; Weight: 2.4kg; Number of wheels: 4
3. American Tourister: Easiest to spot on the carousel
Price when reviewed: £99
If you own an American Tourister Air Force 1, you’ll never have to worry about losing your luggage on the baggage carousel. This stylish suitcase comes in three bright colours – pink, blue and green – with a diamond design that makes it feels sturdy and secure even when it’s half empty. It’s also surprisingly light, which makes it great for air travel.
The inside of the Air Force 1 is divided into two main sections: a zipped compartment and an open area with elastic straps. There’s plenty of space to fit everything in, and a zipped extender adds some extra room if you get carried away while doing your holiday shopping. And even when stuffed to capacity, the double-wheel design means it’s still fairly easy to manoeuvre.
American Tourister Air Force 1 4 Roues 66/24 TSA Extensible Grad Valise, 66 cm, 81 L, Gradient Pink
Key specs - Capacity: 81L; Weight: 3.6kg; Number of wheels: 4
4. Samsonite X’Blade Travel Duffle: Best for heavy packers
Price when reviewed: £130
Samsonite's all-in-one travel duffle is smart enough for business trips but big enough for long-term travellers. It’s versatile, too, with multiple handles and a multi-stage telescopic wheel handle that can be adjusted to sit comfortably at your preferred height.
Inside, the X’Blade is surprisingly roomy. Its various pockets – including a wet pocket, a shoe pocket and large zipped outside pockets – will help you stay organised, while the elastic packing straps hold everything in place. The duffle design also means it’s much easier to store than a regular suitcase.
Key specs - Capacity: 150L; Weight: 3.9kg; Number of wheels: 2
5. Osprey Sojourn 80: The most versatile suitcase you can buy
Price when reviewed: £197
If you can’t decide between a backpack and a suitcase, Osprey’s Sojourn 80 combines the best of both. It looks like a normal suitcase, with two wheels and a pull-up handle, but has cleverly hidden straps so you can throw it on your shoulders as a backpack when the ground’s uneven or difficult.
The downside of the two-in-one design is the weight; the case weighs in at a fairly heavy 4kg, which isn’t ideal if you plan to carry it on your back a lot. The inner lining also looks a little cheap, but don’t be put off – the Sojourn 80 is an attractive bag that feels like it was built to last and make your travels easier, however far or wide you venture with it.
Key specs - Capacity: 80L; Weight: 4kg; Number of wheels: 2